The NY Islanders made of their best decisions in franchise history 10 years ago

Ten years ago, the New York Islanders made one of their most consequential additions, though it did not come on the ice or in the front office.

On Aug. 11, 2016, MSG Networks named Brendan Burke the Islanders’ new play by play announcer, replacing Howie Rose, who had stepped down from the role earlier that year.

Over the decade that followed, Burke established himself as one of the NHL’s more recognizable broadcast voices while becoming embraced by Islanders fans as a talent and personality that the fanbase can brag about. The team may not always win, but they have one of the best broadcasts in the league, and that's because Burke is the man behind the mic.

Working alongside Butch Goring and more recently Thomas Hickey, Burke has been the voice during several significant chapters in franchise history, including the Islanders’ return to Nassau Coliseum, John Tavares’ first game back on Long Island as a member of the Maple Leafs and the opening of UBS Arena in 2021. Last season, he had the call of Matthew Schaefer's remarkable and history-making rookie season.

His call of “Game 1 to the Island” after the Islanders advanced in the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs became one of the most memorable of his tenure.

Burke’s work also led to opportunities beyond the Islanders. Beginning in 2017, he received national playoff assignments with NBC even in seasons when the Isles did not qualify for the postseason.

He later joined TNT’s NHL coverage and has worked as one of the network’s primary play by play announcers, including assignments alongside Jennifer Botterill and Darren Pang.

For Islanders fans, Burke followed two broadcasters whose voices had long been tied to the franchise in Rose and Jiggs McDonald.

Over time, Burke carved out his own place in that history.

His ability to match the emotion of important moments, while maintaining the pace and detail required of an NHL broadcast, has made him a fixture for a generation of Islanders viewers.

A decade after taking over the microphone, Burke has become as familiar to Islanders fans as many of the players he has called, and is considered part of the Islanders family. And you know, the feeling is mutual, which makes the relationship between fan and broadcaster that much more special.

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